Citizens Concerned New Political Districts Won't Reflect Community

Florida lawmakers are drawing lines in the sand, so to speak. 

Lawmakers are looking closely at Florida's population growth over the past 10 years. Based on population data collected in the 2010 U.S. Census, the state is gaining two additional seats in the House of Representatives.

On Tuesday, about 400 citizens met with representatives from the Democratic and Republican parties to discuss redistricting plans at St. Petersburg College's EpiCenter in Largo. For most, the main concern is that the new districts will not reflect areas of common interest.

When former commissioner and vice mayor of Safety Harbor Matt McLachlan looks at the current district maps, he doesn’t see communities.

He sees boundaries set up by cities, and that is exactly what he wants lawmakers to avoid this time around.

"Palm Harbor is not a city. Feather Sound is not a city. Pinellas County should be one group. … Let Tampa and Hillsborough counties stay over there," McLachlan said.

Indian Rocks Beach Mayor RB Johnson was one of the first to speak. He called for unity among the barrier islands of Pinellas County. 

“After redistricting, we would like to see the beach communities to remain essentially as a distinct entity,” Johnson said. “We would like it to have the same geographic boundaries."

Johnson said the character of Pinellas County’s beach community is distinct and should remain separate from the rest of the county.

The state’s Redistricting Committee has visited more than 20 cities to hear the public’s opinion, part of a statewide tour that will end Thursday in Clewiston.

Committee chairman Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, and Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, hope to reassure the public that redistricting will be achieved fairly. 

The Florida Legislature requires redistricting based on population increases or decreases.

Because of this, "Many Senate and House districts will change. In fact, it is my guess that all Senate and House districts will change," Gaetz said.

Redistricting Is No Easy Task

The challenge for lawmakers is to be fair within constitutionally required guidelines. The twist is in Florida Propositions 5 and 6, approved by voters in 2010. Known as the "fair district" amendments, they ban gerrymandering and require redistricting without favoring any one political party.

After each U.S. Census, states must recalculate congressional districts based on the population. Florida experienced substantial increases overall, but not everywhere. Pinellas County lost several thousand citizens between 2000 and 2010.

According to 2010 Census figures, current Florida House districts in Pinellas County are now underpopulated by as much as 20 percent. Those districts will have to be substantially redrawn to meet the standards for representation.

Under the standards, each district must be equal in population, with approximately 700,000 people in a U.S. congressional district. Each of the 40 state Senate seats will correspond to approximately 470,000 people, and Florida state House seats must represent about 157,000.

Populations for new districts must reach certain levels, which may be difficult geographically. Right now, State Sen. Arthenia Joyner's District 18 covers three counties —Pinellas, Hillsborough and Manatee. Rouson's District 55 covers four.

Tuesday’s meeting lasted for more than three hours, with almost 70 speakers. The atmosphere was at times contentious. On several occasions, citizens shouted at Weatherford for trying to keep each speaker to less than three minutes.

Aides had to escort Independent Party member Ernie Bach away after he refused to leave when his time was up.

Many citizens commented on how difficult it is to feel represented when their lawmaker has to cross the Sunshine Skyway or Howard Frankland Bridge for community visits.

On top of everything else, lawmakers are under the gun to have the new districts ready by the 2012 elections.

"Our biggest concern is time," said Rep. Larry Ahern, R-Seminole. "With a 50,000 lost population, everyone's district will change."

Have Your Voice Heard

To date, citizens have submitted 48 proposed district maps through the Florida House's online application My District Builder and more than 100 written proposals.

If you missed the two Tampa Bay redistricting meetings, you may still participate in the process. Lawmakers will continue to accept comments through theirwebsites, Facebook and Twitter.

The House Redistricting Committee will begin reviewing public input this October. Voting on the new districts will occur during the 2012 legislative session, which begins Jan. 12.